Time Estimated number of plants Before programme 120 End of year 1 150 End of year 2 210 End of year 3 280 End of year 4 360 A species of plant that grows o...
Question 1 Report
| Time | Estimated number of plants |
|---|---|
| Before programme | 120 |
| End of year 1 | 150 |
| End of year 2 | 210 |
| End of year 3 | 280 |
| End of year 4 | 360 |
A species of plant that grows only on one small island has become endangered because much of its habitat has been cleared for farming. Conservationists set up a programme to conserve the species, which included growing plants from seeds stored in a seed bank and protecting the remaining area of natural habitat. Fig. 2.1 is a table showing the estimated number of these plants growing in the wild before the programme began and at the end of each of the following four years.
(a) State one reason, other than farming, why a species of plant may become endangered. [1]
(b) Describe how the number of plants growing in the wild changed after the conservation programme began. [2]
(c) Explain how storing seeds in a seed bank can help to conserve an endangered plant species. [3]
(d) Suggest why protecting the natural habitat is important for the long-term survival of this species. [2]
(e) Explain why conserving a wide range of different plant species is important for humans in the future. [2]
Answer Details
This question tests seed-bank conservation and why a protected habitat matters for reintroduction. Use the table figures for the data part.
(a) One reason other than farming: over-collecting, introduced/competing species, disease, pollution, or climate change [1].
(b) The number increased each year [1], rising from 120 before the programme to 360 by year 4 (roughly trebled) [1]. Quote start and end values to earn the data mark.
(c) A seed bank helps because seeds can be stored for many years in a small space [1]; they act as a store of genetic material/variation [1]; and new plants can be grown from them to replace those lost or reintroduce the species [1].
(d) Protecting the habitat matters because the plants need it to obtain resources and to breed [1], so without a protected habitat, reintroduced plants would have nowhere to grow and could be lost again [1]. A seed bank alone cannot save a species with no habitat to return to.
(e) Conserving many plant species matters to humans because plants may be a source of food, medicines or useful genes [1], and a variety maintains genetic diversity and stable ecosystems for the future [1].
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